Door locking system



Jan- 11, 1949. J.G.1NGRES Em 2,459,029

DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM Filed April 17, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l gmzm DIKECT/ winch Ram-non WHEN u-LocKm CAR 3mm/m J. 6. /NGEES 0. 7T AYEEQJ@ Jan. 11, 1949. J. G. INGREs ETAL DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM A Filed .April 17, 194e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j llll fr t ohh .um iwal MASQ. Mem@ Patented Jan. 1l, 1949 DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM Jeannot G. Ingres and David T. Ayers, JIT., Richmond, Va., assignors to EmpreElectrc Brake Company, Newark, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application April 17, 1946, Serial,No.662,8-7,0

(Cl. 7G- 264) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to door latch control mechanisms, and more particularly to such a mechanism adapted for use with motor vehicle doors for controlling the locking and unlocking thereof.

As is Well known, present day automobile door latches are provided with means whereby they may be locked to prevent unauthorized entrance into the vehicle. Each door of the vehicle is provided with its Own locking mechanism which requires individual operation. In order to lock the vehicle, therefore, it is necessary ior the operator to separately set the mechanism for each door. The same procedure must be followed in the unlocking -of the individual doors.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a simple, easily Operable mechanism whereby an operator, upon leaving a motor vehicle, may lock all of the doors thereof by simple operation oi a single control element, such as a push button associated with one -or both of the front doors of the vehicle.

A further object is to provide such a mechanisni wherein a simple control mechanism is provided for each door and each such mechanism, in turn, is under 'the control of a master control mechanism located at any suitable part of the vehicle and through which all of the door latches may be locked or unlocked.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism which electrically operated and is `of such nature that "l of the door latching means are subject to manual control in the usual manner and wherein the electrical means employed are normally deenergizcd, thus preventing any drain on the vehicle battery.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism which permits occupant within a vehicle to lock all of the doors thereof, but wherein means is provided for preventing an occupant from inadvertently leaving the vehicle with the doors locked, thereby possibly locking the ignition key in the i. hicle.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism wherein the inside door handles function to automatically unie s the system, if it has been previously locked, by the customary Operation of the inside door handle thus rendering it unnecessary for the operator even to be aware of the fact that the doors have been locked from the inside when opening a door to leave the vehicle.

A, further object is to provide individualelectrically operated door latch control mechanisms under the control of a simple master switch 2 which may be operated by one, or by either of a plurality of, push buttons to lock the doors, and may be simply operated by a key to render the locking means inoperative t0 ,permit manual operation of any of the outside door handles.

A further object is to provide such a system wherein the operation of the key-controlledshaft from the outside yof Ithe vehicle electrically operates the master switch to render the locking means inoperative, and wherein the turning of such shaft, in the event the battery has become dead during the absence Aof `the driver, will manually set the parts to permit` `the manual opening of thek doors. n

Other objects 'and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings we have shown one embodiment oi the invention. In this showing- Figure l is a perspective View of a locking mechanism associated with one of the iront doors of a vehicle, parts being broken away and some of the electrical connectionsy being diagrammatically illustrated, i y

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical devices employed in the system showing the various` control circuits, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of one of the front vehicle doors showing the preferred location of the push buttons operable Vfor locking the doors.

In Figure 1 a latch ymechan ism for one ofthe front vehicle doors of amotor vehicle is illustrated. Referring to Figure l, the numeral I0 designates a carrier plate conventionally employed in most motor vehicles. This carrier plate ishoused within the door and is hanged at one end as at l l at the free edge of the door. A latch I2 is slidable through the flange ,il and is connected to the adjacent end of a dat bar I3 the opposite end portion of which is. slotted as at I4 to receive the shank of guide pin I5 carried by the plate l0.. The bolt IZ and its operating bar I3 accordingly are supported for linear movement toward and away from the keeper (not shown) for the latch l2, and a spring I6 isr connected to 'the bar I3 and plate In to urge the latch I2 toward latching position. Toward this end remote from the latch I2, the bar I3 is provided with an upwardly extending portion' il having an intin'ned end E8 for a purpose to be described. The oar I3 is also provided with a headed pin IS through which the door may be unlatched. from an inside handle mechanism to be referred to later.

A control rod 22 is vertically arranged as shown in Figure 1 between the body of the plate l and the bar i3 and is provided with laterally extending fingers 23 and 24 for a purpose to be described. The upper end of the rod 22 is connected to the armature 25, to be referred to later, of a solenoid 26' energizable to move the rod 22 upwardly. A spring 27 urges the rod 22 downwardly, and the lower end of this rod is connected to an oiiset extension 28 slidable in a guide lip 29 extending laterally from the plate |0. A stop pin 30 engages the lip 29 to limit downward movement of the bar 22 and its extension 2S.

A lever indicated as a whole by the numeral 35 is pivoted as at 3S to the plate l0 and is provided with three arms 37, 38 and 39. The arm 39 is connected by a pin @l0 `to .a bar 4| the opposite end portion of which is arranged between the fingers '23 and 2li. The bar 4 I has its free end normally arranged lower than the finger I8 so that turning movement of the lever 35 would move the end of the bar beneath the nger I8 without imparting movement thereto. 1t will become apparent that when the solenoid 2E is energized, the nger 2t raises the free end of the bar 4| to position it for engagement with the nger i3 to impart unlatching movement to the bar i3.

notched as at 172 for a purpose to be described.

The lever arm 37 is arranged to control a small switch indicated as a whole by the numeral 45,

and as will be described later, the normal position of the lever arm 37 holds the switch 45 open.

The lever arm 38 is engageable by an arm 46 carried by the shaft 47 to which the usual outside door handle 48 is connected. Rotation of the The free end of the bar 4| preferably has its upper corner portion righIt-angularly shaft /l7 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 will eiect the unlatching of the latch I2 to Dermit the door to open, but this is dependent upon energization of the solenoid by movement of the arm 37 from the switch d5, which operation will be referred to more in detail later.

Near the bottom of the plate I0 is arranged a lever 5@ pivotally connected to the plate as at 5l. One end `of the lever 50, as indicated by the numeral 52, lies against the projection 28 beneath and adjacent lower extremity of the bar 22. The other end 53 0f the lever 50 is engageable by `an arm 5d carried by the usual shaft 55 controlled by the key-operated lock (not shown). Beneath the lever end 53 is arranged a normally open switch 50 which is adapted to be closed upon substantial downward movement of the lever end 53 incident to rotation of the key-operated shaft 55 in the direction of the arrow in Figure l.

The pin i9 is operable in a slot 60 formed in a link El. The opposite end of this link is slotted 'as at 52 to receive a pin 63 carried by one arm E13 of a bell crank lever 05 connected to the shaft 66 of the usual inside door handle associated with motor vehicle doors. The shaft 06 extends through a plate 67 adjacent to which the bell crank lever 65 is arranged. A normally open switch 0B is carried by the plate 67 and is adapted to be closed by movement of the other arm '69 of the bell crank lever upon a door-unlatching turning movement of the shaft 06 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. A spring 70 holds `the bell crank lever B5 in the normal position shown in Figure 1, in which position the lever arm 63 holds the switch 68 open.

Assuming that the apparatus is employed with a four-door sedan, the mechanism shown in Fig'- ure 1 will be employed for each front door of the vehicle. The same mechanism also will be employed for the two rear doors except that the keyoperated shaft 55 and associated elements, including the lever 50 and switch 53, andthe switch 08 associated with the inside door handle, will be omitted.

It will be noted that only one solenoid is used in conjunction with the latch mechanism 0f each vehicle door. It also will be noted that three small, simple switches are employed for each front door, and only one switch, namely the switch d5, is employed for each rear door. These electrical elements are quite small `and cheaply manufactured and are available as standard articles of manufacture. An additional small manually controlled switch is associated with each front door. Referring to Figure 3, a portion of one of the front doors oi lthe vehicle has been illustrated and indicated by the num-eral 75. This door has the usual window 70 having a lower sill 77, and the additional switch referred to is arranged within the door beneath the sill 77 as indicated by the numeral 78. This switch is operable by a push button 79 projecting upwardly through sill 77 adjacent the free edge of the door 75. @ne of these switches and a control circuit therefor is preferably provided for each front door and either of these switches may have its push button 79 operated to effect the locking of all of the vehicle doors, as will be described.

The wiring system for the mechanism `is shown diagrammatically in Figure 2 and the mechanism associated with each individual door has been enclosed within a dotted line rectangle designated by suitable legends to indicate the respective doors. Referring to Figure 2, numeral 35 indicates as a whole the master switch through which the locking and unlocking functions of the apparatus are controlled. This master switch may be located at any desired inaccessible and invisible point in the vehicle, for example, behind the instrument panel, and is Isuitably housed. The master switch comprises a pair of solenoids 8B and 87 respectively provided with armatures 88 and S9 connected to a switch lever 9|) pivoted intermediate the armatures as at 9|. The lever 99 is provided with a projected end 92 to which is connected an over-center spring 93 for holding the lever 9i) in either of its two positions to be referred to. A lateral projection 94 on the lever 90 is engageable with a switch arm Q5 whereby, upon energization of the solenoid 87, such switch arm will be moved into engagement with a stationary contact 90.

A source of current, such as the vehicle battery, is indicated by the numeral |00, and has one terminal grounded as at 30|. A main supply wire H32 `is connected to the other terminal of the battery and is provided with branches |03 and |04 each of which is connected to one terminal of one of the solenoids 8S and t7. The wire |02 leads to the stationary contact $36.

The second terminal of the solenoid 86 is connected to one end of a wire |05 and this wire branches as at |06 for connection with stationary contacts |07 arranged in the switches 78. Each of these switches includes an arm |08 normally held out of engagement with its contact |07 by its spring |00 and movable into engagement therewith by operation of the associated push button 79. The arm |00 of each push button switch is grounded at ||0.

satema nected to one end of a ,wire I5 which branches as @atl I6 `forconnection with vswitch arms ||1 in each ofthe 'key-operated `switches 56. Each of .these switch arms is Anormally out ofv engagement with an'associated stationary-contact ||8 and is held in normal position by a ,spring H9. Each switch arm |1 is provided with an operating button |20 engageable by the lever end53 (Figure 1) to close the switch upon operation of @the associated key-operated shaft 5.5 (Figure. 1). Each stationary contact I |3 is grounded vas at V|2|.

The `switch arm 95 of the master switchis connected 'to one end of a wire |25'andthis wire is provided with four branchesk |26. Each of these branches leads to a stationary contact |2-1 in each of the switches 45.v Each switch 45 is provided rwith a switch arm |28 engageable withthe associated contact |21 and vnormally urged into engagement therewith byfa tensionspring |29. Each switch arm |28 is provided with anvoperating button or the like |301norrnally engaged -by the associated lever arm 31 (Figure 1) .to-keep the switch arms |28 in open position. Each switch arm |28 is connected by a wire |3.| to one terminal of the associated solenoid 26, and the other terminal of each of 'these solenoids is grounded as at |32.

The foregoing description covers a fully operative latch controllingy system'for automobile door latches. However, it is` highly desirable to provide in such a system a lcoope'rati'ng'means whereby an operator will .be prevented from lnadvertently leaving the vehicle with the system set for locking the doors. In other words, assuming that the driver may have purposelyv locked the doors while he is in the vehicle by havingy depressed .one ofthe buttons 19 (Figure 3)"'or by having accidentally depressed such'button with his hand or elbow, he may later leavethe vehicle and close the doors with the ignition keystlll in the ignition switch. He will thereafter, upon returning to the vehicle, nd it impossible tojgain entrance thereinto. The switches 68,' which may be associated only with the lfront doors of Aa fourdoor vehicle are employed for preventing the driver frominadvertently locking himself out' of the vehicle. Referring to Figure zfeachbranch wire 6 is provided with a further branch kwire |35 leading to a switch army |36'fin each ofthe switches 68. Each switch arm `is urged by a com pression spring |31 into engagement with a stationary contact |38, `grounded as at |39.` Each switch arm |36 is provided with an operating n ger |40 or the like normallyv engaged by the' lever arm 69 (Figure l) ofthe inside door 'handle mechanism whereby the switch arms |36 are normally held open. As will become apparent, the open# ing of either front door from the inside will result in closing one of the switch arms |361to `unlock the entire system.

.The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The master switch 85 is normally arranged with the lever g8 swung clockwise to its normal position holding the switch arm 95 in engagement with the contact 96. Under lsuch conditions, a circuit is closed through each of the solenoids 26 except at the respective switches `45. These switches are normally open, as stated above, and accordingly no current normally owsthrough the solenoids 26. Assuming that the operator is outside the car and desires to enter thereinto, he will operate one of the handles 48 in the yusual manner, turning the associated shaft 41 in the direction of the arrow in Figurel'. Thefarm 46 ,will

turnin the `same y,direction and, in engaging ,the leverarm .3,;,will rockthe lever 3,5 in a counterclockwise direction. The lever arm 31 thus will start to `move generally toward the left in Figure 1, and the first increment of movement of the lever 35 `thus will release the switch arm |28 of the associated,switch 45, the lever arm 31 relieving Dressureion the button |30. This will complete arcircuit throughv the :associated solenoid 26 to groundi|32 :andthrough ground lill back to th source 1| 0 0.

Energzation 0f the solenoid 26 will lift the armature 25 and-'..the associated bar 22 and the finger!! .Will elevate the bar 4| into a position in alignment 4withfthe ringer I8. Continued operaof. the handle 4,8 will then continue the counterclockwisejrotation of the lever 35 and the bar 41| Willlexertpa pressure on the finger I8 to move the latchY bar |3 and latch I2 to the right to unlatchzthe door. The door lthus vmay be opened manually in the usual manner, and when the operator :releases .therhandle '48, the parts operated thereby .willlreturn to their normal positions with the lever arm 31 depressing the previously op erated; button |30 to open the'associated switch 45. Theatssociated latch-operating bar 4| will thus. beldro pped below .the nger I8 to its normal position.'

Assumingthat Ktheoperator will have operated the-h andle with extreme rapidity, it is possible that 'theupper corner of the free end of the bar 4|, in the absence of the notch 42, might have moved beneath lthe Vfinger I8 during such complete rapid movement of the handle 48. In practice, it has beenzfou'nd that byproviding the notch 42, such inadverte'ntioperation is prevented, If the free en dof Athebar 4| reaches a position with its ex tremityin: vertical :alignment vwith the forward faceof Athe nger 'I8 before the upper edge of the bar 4| ymbvesxto a position above the lower extremit'y of -.the linger I8, the inner extremity of thefnotch 42 will engage the finger i8 and unlatch the door in the manner previously described.

It willibevapparent that the circuit through either solenoid 26 may be closed by operation of its l,associated .switch arm |28, but the circuit to each--tsolenoid26 Vis dependent upon the position ofthe ,parts ofthemaster switch'85. The circuits through all of. the solenoids 25 will be'prevented from -being 4closed by operation of either outside door handle if theswitch arm 95 is out of engagementfwith the contact 96. ",Ihis is the condition which4 isvestablishedk when all of the car doors areto be ylocked.4 If the driver desires to leave the veh'icle and lock the doors,'he may open either front door to leave the vehicle therethroghrand may `press the `push button 19 associated .with such door Under such conditions, current-willrlow from the source |50 through wires1|02 andA |03, solenoid 86, wire |05 and either wire |06,'*dependent upon which -front door push button is operated, vthence through the associated contact||l1 and switch arrn |08 and back to the battery through lgrounds ||`0 and |0|. The lockirigsolenoid 186 thus willv be energized and its armaturen will swing the lever to the position shown-ln Flgurel2, the switch arm being disengaged `ifromlthe contact 96'.' The Amain control circuit,A having thusbeen broken between contact 0.5.and switch arm`96, the operation of an outside door handley Will'not close a circuit through the associatedsolenoid 25 and the door cannot be opened; -Undef-such conditions, a door-opening operation voithethandlel'will move the asso'- cited'ibar while the'latter remains in its lower position and the free end of the bar will merely move beneath the finger I3, and accordingly no motion can be imparted to this finger or to the latch bar it and latch |2 The door thus will remain latched. v

When the operator returns to the car and desires to unlock the doors, he will insert a key in the lock of conventional construction (not shown) provided in each front door and will turn the key and consequently the associated shaft 55 (Figure l) in the direction indicated by the a1'- row. The arm et will engage the lever end 53 and move it downwardly until it engages and moves the associated button |2|l downwardly, whereupon the corresponding switch arm I1 will engage the stationary contact H8. The current will then flow from the battery m through Wires |92 and llll, through solenoid 8l and wire H5, through one ci' the wires ilii, depending upon which front door lock is being operated, thence through the corresponding switch Il'l and contact H8 and back to the source through grounds lZl and lill. This operation energizes solenoid il? and the armature 39 will swing the arm 9D back to its normal position to engage the switch arm d5 with the contact S5. The door control circuits will then be restored to their normal conditions and either door handle may be operated to open the corresponding door, Thus it will be apparent that the mere turning of the key inone of the locks will simultaneously restore all of the door control circuits associated with the outside handles and either vehicle door may be opened from the outside.

The over-center spring 93 is employed for hold-4 ing the switch lever e!! in either of its two positionsI after it has been moved to such position. As is true of all of the circuits in the apparatus, the circuits for the solenoids 86 and 81 are only momentarily closed, thus minimizing the drain on the battery, and the master switch parts will remain indennitely in either position to which they are moved. f

It is becoming the increasing practice, as a matter of safety, for drivers, and particularly women, to lock doors of a motor vehicle while they are driving or remaining inside of the vehicle. It will be apparent that the driver of va vehicle equipped with the present system may push one of the buttons 'i9 at any time and the doors of the vehicle will be locked. Thus, the driver may lock Ahimself or herself inside the vehicle. It also will be apparent that the button 'le is placed in a highly convenient position adjacent the rear end of the sill 'le of each front door. The driver may inadvertently rest his or her elbow on the button 79 of the left-hand front door, in which case the master switch will be set to lock all of the doors. Regardless of whether the driver has deliberately or inadvertently pushed one of the buttons 19, he may leave the car without locking it unless he so desires. As-

suming that the doors are locked With the driverinside, the master switch will be set as shown in Figure 2. Upon leaving the car, the driver will turn the inside door handle (not shown) to turn the shaft 5E in the direction of the arrow in Figure l, thus manually pulling the bar 6| to unlatch the door. At the same time, the lever arm 69 will move upwardly to release the associated button Mil, and the corresponding switch arm |36 will engage the stationary contact |38. Each of the switches 63 is in parallel with its associated key-operated switch 56 and functions in the same manner to energize the unlocking solenoid 8T.

Thus, if the car has been locked from the inside, the mere opening of the door by operation of the shaft 6B will restore the unlocked position of the master switch. The driver is thus prevented from inadvertently leaving the car locked with the ignition key inside, and if he desires to lock the car when leaving it, he must do so deliberately by'pressing one of the buttons 19.

It will be apparent that the wiring system is quite simple and minimizes the number of wires which run to each door. For example, only three wires need extend to each front door, and conveniently may be run into the hinged edge of the door in actual practice. In this connection, it will be noted thaty the wire |35 of each front door is connected to the associated wire i8 before the latter leaves the door. The wire H6 thus constitutes one of the three wires connected to each front door, the other two being the wires |06 and |26. -F'or the rear doors, only one of the wires |26 extends Vinto each door. The wiring system accordingly greatly simplies the installation kof the mechanism.

It also will be noted that only a single solenoid is employed for each of the doors, the locking and unlocking circuits being under the main control of the master switch. This switch may be placed at any desired point and the use of a single solenoid in each vdoor also simplies installation. No master and subsidiary locks' are employed, all of the locks operating on the same principle and the looking and unlocking circuits being entirely separate and being controlled by the master switch.

All or the push bars 4| of the various doors are biased under all conditions to a locking position and nothing in the mechanical operation of any of the parts will disturb such normal arrangement. In other words, there is nothing associated between the bars I3 and 4| which established a mechanical connection therebetween, and accordingly the handle of the door latch mechanism in which a locking operation has been established need not be held down while closing the door. Such mechanical connection between the bars |3 and il has been necessary in prior constructions to avoid the inadvertent locking of the car. This is unnecessary in the present system since, as stated above, the operation of one of the indoor handles of either front door when the operator leaves the car insures the unlocking of the parts. This obviously prevents the inadvertent locking of the car.

No unlocking button is required for unlocking this system. It merely is necessary to insert an ordinary key in its lock and turn the associated shaft to energize the unlocking circuit in the manner previously stated. If, after leaving the car, the battery should become dead and thus prevent energization of the unlocking circuit, thel 'i While the system is electrically operated, therefore, the driver is enabled to unlock the car even if the battery is fdead.

We claim:

i. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, a handle for operating the latch, a member movable to a rst position in which the handle is operative for releasing the latch, and to a second position in which the handle is inoperative for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second/position, a s'olenoidjenerg'iz'able for moving said member to said first position, a circuit for said solenoid comprising a pair of switches in series, one of said switches being biased to closed position to move to such position upon initial operation or said handle t energize said solenoid if Athe' other switch is closed, a push button operable solely for opening said other switch, and'key-controlled means carried by the door for closingsaid other switch. l

52.' In a door locking mechanism wherein th door ispmvid'ed with a latch, a handle for operating the latch,` a member movable to a rst position in which the handle is operative for releasing the latch,andrto a second position in` which the" handle is inoperative for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, a solenoid energizable for moving said member to said first position, a circuit iorsa'id solenoid comprising a pair of switches in ,I

series-olie' of said switches being biased to closed position to move to such position upon initial operation of said handle to energize said solenoid if the other switch is closed, a push button operable for opening said other switch, key-controlled electrical means for closing said other switch, and mechanical means operable by said keycontrolled means if no current is availablel for said solenoid for moving said member to said flrstposition.

3 In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, a handle for operating the latch, a member movable to a rst position in which the handle is operative for releasing the latch, `and to a second position in which the handle is inoperative for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, a solenoid energizable for moving said member to said first position, a circuit for said solenoid comprising a pair of switches in' series, one of saidswitches being biased to closed position to move to such position upon initial' operation of said handle to energize said solenoid if the other switch is closed, a pair of electromagnetic devices respectively operable solely for opening and closing said other switch, a circuit for one electromagnetic device 0f said pair comprising a push button operable for :closing such circuit to open said otherswitch, said push button being biased to an inoperative position, a circuitv for the other electromagnetic device of said pair comprising a switch` operable for closing such Icircuit toy close said other switch and carried by the door, and key-controlled means for operating said last named switch, y

vli. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door lis provided with a latch, a handle for operating the latchJ a member movablelto a first position in which the handle is operative for releasing the latch, and to a second position in which the handle is inoperative for releasing the latch;` means constantly biasing said member tov said second position, a solenoid energizable for moving said member to said iirst position, a circuit'for saidl solenoid comprising a, pair of switches series, one of said switches beingl biased to closed position to move to such position upon initial `operation of said handle to energize said solenoid if the other switch is closed, la pair of electromagnetic devices respectively operable for opening and closing said other switch, a'circuit for one electromagnetic device of said pair .comprising a.V push button operable for closing such circuit to open" said other switch, a circuitforthe other electromagnetic device of said pair compris'infga switch operable for closing such circuit to y' close said other switch andfcarried by the doorfa mechanical device movable for closing said last named switch, and a key-operated device for operating said mechanical device, said mec'zhanical` device having mechanical connection with said member to move the latter to said first position in the event no current is available for said last named circuit upon operation of said last named switch.

5. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a iirst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, control means operable upon ini'- tial operation of said outside door handle for overcoming saidy biasing means to move said member to said rst position wherebycontinued movement' of said outside door handle will release thelatch, manually operable means for rendering said control means ineffective for overcoming" said biasing means, and means operable by said inside door handle Aupon a latch-releasing movement thereof for rendering said manually `operable means inciective forcontrolling said control means.

6. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, andan inside door handle for releasing. the latch, and a memberl movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle'is ineffective for releasing the latch; meansconstantly biasing said member to 'said second position, an electro-magnetic device energiza'bleV for'moving said member to said first position,v a circuit for said electro-magnetic device comprising a switch biased to closed position and held in open position when said outside door handleis in normal position, and movable to clos-ed position upon initial operation o'fsaid outside door han'dle, manually operable means for preventing said switch from closing said circuit whereby said member will remain in said second position, and means operable by said inside door handle upon a latch-releasing movement thereof for rendering said manually operable means ineffective for preventing said switch from closing said circuit.

'7. Inf a doorl locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with alatch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, and an inside doorhandle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a' first position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said lmember to said second position, an electro-magnetic device energizable for moving said member to said rst position, a circuit for said electro-magnetic device comprising a switch biasedvto closed position and held in open position when said outside door handle is in normal position, and movable to closed position upon initial operation of said outside door handle, a second switch in said cir'- 1l cuit in series with said rst mentioned switch, manually controlled means for opening said second switch, and means koperable by said inside door handl-e upon a latch-releasing movement thereof for closing said second switch.

8. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with alatch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member`movable to a first position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, an electro-magnetic device energizable for moving said member to said rst position,` a circuit for said electro-magnetic device comprising a switch biased to closed position and held in open position when said outside door handle is in normal position, and movable to closed position upon initial operation of said outside door handle, a master switch remote from said door and connected in series with said rst named switch, means subject to manual operation for opening said master switch, and an electro-magnetic device energizable for closing said master switch and comprising a circuit including a switch manually operable by said inside door handle upon a latch-releasing movemen thereof for closing said master switch.

9. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, an electro-magnetic device energizable for moving said member to said rst position, a circuit yfor said solenoid comprising a switch biased to closed position and held in open position when said outside door handle is in normal position, and movable to closed position upon initial operation of said outside door handle, a master switch remote from said door if.

and connected in series with said iirst named switch, means subject to manual operation for opening said master switch, an electro-magnetic device energizable for closing said master switch and comprising a circuit including a switch manually operable by said inside door handle upon a latch-releasing movement thereof for closing said master switch, and an auxiliary switch in said last named circuit in parallel with saidlast named switch, the door having a key-operated mechanism manually operable for closing said auxiliary switch to energize said last named electro-magnetic device to close said master switch.'

10. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, an electro-magnetic device energizable for moving said member to said iirst position, a circuit for said electro-magnetic 'device comprising a switch biased to closed position and held in open position when said outside door handle is in normal position, and movable to closed position upon initial operation of said outside door handle, a master switch remote from said door and connected in series with said first named switch, a pair of electro-magnetic devices selectively energizable for opening and closing said master switch, a circuit for one electromagnetic device of said pair comprising a manually operable switch carried by the door and operable from the inside thereof for opening said master switch, and a circuit for the other electromagnetic device of said pair comprising a nor-` mally open switch, the door having a key-controlled device operable from the outside of the door for closing said last named switch.

11. A locking system constructed inaccordance with claim l0 wherein said key-controlled device comprises a member operable for closing said last named switch and having mechanical connection with said rst mentioned member to mechanically move it to said first position if no current is available for said other electro-magnetic device of said pair,

l2. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle having a normal position from which it is movable for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineiective for releasing the latch; means constantly biasing said member to said second position, an electro-magnetic device energizable for moving said member to said iirst posie tion, a circuit for said electro-magnetic device comprising a switch biased to closed position and heid in open position when said outside door handle is in normal position, and movable to closed position upon initial operation of said outside door handle, a master switch remote from f said door and connected in series with said iirst named switch, a pair of electro-magnetic devices selectively energizable ior opening and closing said master switch, a circuit for one electromagnetic device cf said pair comprising a manually operable switch carried by the door and operable from the inside thereof for opening said master switch, and circuit means for the other electro-magnetic device of said pair comprising a pair of switches in parallel one of which is operable by said inside door handle upon a latchreleasing movement thereof for closing said master switch, the door having a keycontrolled device operable from the outside of the door for closing the other switch of said pair to close said master switch.

13. In a door locking system for a plurality of doors wherein each door is provided with a locking mechanism comprising a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineiective for releasing the latch; each locking mechanism further comprising means constantly biasing said member to said second position, control means operable upon initial operation of said outside door handle for overcoming said biasing means to move said member to said first position whereby continued movement of said outside door handle will release the latch, manually operable means associated with at least one door for rendering said control means of each door ineiective for overcoming said biasing means of such door, and means operable by the inside door handle of any door upon a latch-releasing movement of such handle for rendering said manually operable means ineffective for controlling said control means.

14. In a door locking system for a plurality of doors wherein each door is provided with a locking mechanism comprising a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and al menber movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineffective' for releasing the latch; each locking mechanism further comprising means constantly biasing said member to said second position, electro-magnetic means energizable for overcoming said biasing means to move said member to said first position, and a switch for said electro-magnetic means operable by the outside handle, a source of current7 a master switch in series with said source of current, each electro-magnetic device and its switch being arranged in parallel with said master switch, means for opening said master switch for rendering each of said first named switches ineffective for completing a circuit through the associated electro-magnetic device, and means operable by either inside door handle upon a latch-releasing movement thereof for closing said master switch.

15. In a door locking system for a plurality of doors wherein each door is provided with a locking mechanism comprising a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, an inside door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a first position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the outside door handle is ineiective for releasing the latch; each locking mechanism further comprising means constantly biasing said member to said second position, electro-magnetic means energizable for overcoming said biasing means to move said member to said rst position, and a switch for said electro-magnetic means operable by the outside handle, a source of current, a master r switch in series with said source of current, each electro-magnetic device and its switch being arranged in parallel with said master switch, a pair of electro-magnetic devices respectively operable for opening and closing said master switch, a switch carried by each door and manually operable for closing a circuit through one electro-magnetic device of said pair to open said master switch, and means for closing said master switch comprising a circuit for the other electromagnetic device of said pair, and a manually operablel switch for closing said last named circuit.

16. A locking system constructed in accordance with claim 15 wherein the manually operable switch for closing the circuit through said other electro-magnetic device of said pair is arranged to be mechanically operated by one of said inside door handles.

17. In a door locking system for a plurality of doors wherein each door is provided with a locking mechanism comprising a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, an inside' door handle for releasing the latch, and a member movable to a rst position in which said outside door handle is operative for releasing the latch and to a second position in which the out'- side door handle is ineffective for releasing the latch; each locking mechanism further comprising means constantly biasing said member to said second position, electro-magnetic means energizable for overcoming said biasing means to move said member to said first position, and a. switch for said electro-magnetic means operable by the outside handle, a source of current, a master switch in series with said source of current, each electro-magnetic device and its switch being arranged in parallel with said master switch, a pair of electro-magnetic devices respectively operable for opening and closing said master switch, a switch carried by each door and manually operable for closing a circuit through one electro-magnetic device of said pair to open said master switch, and means for energizing the other electro-magnetic device of said pair comprising a circuit for such device having a pair of switches connected in parallel, one switch of said pair being mechanically operable by one of said inside door handles, the door which carries said last named inside door handle having a key-operated mechanism, and the other switch of said pair being operable by such mechanism.

18. In a door locking mechanism wherein the door is provided with a latch, an outside door handle for releasing the latch, and an inside door handle for releasing the latch, electro-magnetic means e'nergiZable for rendering said outside door handle normally operative for releasing the latch, a circuit for said electro-magnetic means including a switch operable upon initial movement of the outside door handle in a latch-releasing operation, a master switch in said circuit, a pair of electro-magnetic devices respectively operable for opening and closing the electro-magnetic devices of said pair, a circuit for the electro-magnetic device of said pair which opens said master switch, a push button for closing said last named circuit, and a circuit for the electro-magnetic device of said pair which closes said master switch and including a control switch operable for closing such circuit upon a latch-releasing operation of said inside door handle.

19. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 18 provided with a key-operated mechanism for closing said control switch.

JEANNOT G. INGRES. DAVID T. AYERS, JR.

REFERENCES The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,212,251 Seelinger Aug. 20, 1940 2,329,309 Ward et al Sept. 14, 1943 

